Europe expects changes after EP elections, Greek FM says

The European Parliament elections will have a significant impact on the situation in the European Union and within individual countries, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis told ERT News.

Gerapetritis pointed out that in the two “driving forces of the EU, France and Germany,” the election results will have a strong impact on the established domestic political climate in Paris and Berlin. He noted:

In France, the far-right is gaining 37 per cent of the vote and suffering a clear defeat to President Macron, while in Germany the Social Democrats are in third place in the coalition government. We expect significant changes in both cases.

The power balance in the structure of the European Parliament has changed, he said. Thus, now the “forces of the extreme right” are increasing.

Asked to comment on the outcome of the European elections in light of international developments, such as the two ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, as well as the possibility of Trump’s re-election in the upcoming US presidential race, Gerapetritis admitted that Greece is concerned, but is keeping an eye on developments. He emphasised:

However, I want to say that in recent years, in the last five years, clear steps have been made towards a substantial autonomy of the European Union vis-à-vis both the West and the East. It is important to have geopolitical autonomy, energy autonomy, political autonomy of the European Union.

According to the Greek Foreign Minister, although there will certainly be upheavals due to the election results, it is safe to say that the course of the European Union will not be stopped.

Gerapetritis emphasised that the next five years in the EU will be crucial for Greece’s interests. He said they will be five years of agricultural development, Europe’s competitiveness compared to the US, the realisation of the migration pact and especially Europe’s new geopolitics towards the world. He also added:

It is very important that we have a strong Greek voice.

Gerapetritis noted that there are about 40 days left before the new European Parliament starts its work, which is crucial for the future of Europe.

Greek FM recalled that Hungary assumes the presidency of the EU Council on July 1 and stressed that it is very important that the institutions of the European Union be formed “in such a way that any difficulties can be overcome.”